Remote veterinary consultations offer clients convenience and quick access to specialists. However, it is important to remember that telemedicine has its limits, which affect diagnostic effectiveness and patient safety. The key barriers are the inability to conduct a direct examination, limitations in emergencies, and technical issues.
One of the biggest limitations of telemedicine in veterinary care is the lack of physical contact with the patient. During an in-person visit, the veterinarian can conduct a full clinical examination, which is essential for many diagnostic processes. In online consultations, the specialist mainly relies on the owner's description, video recordings, or photos sent by the owner. While telemedicine works very well in situations such as post-operative follow-ups, test result interpretations, or dietary consultations, it may be insufficient in more serious cases.
Polish veterinary law clearly defines the obligation to maintain accurate documentation and to make a diagnosis based on as complete medical data as possible. Therefore, e-consultations are often just a preliminary step before further in-person diagnostics. Educating pet owners on when telemedicine is a good solution and when an in-person visit is necessary helps avoid disappointments and ensures patient safety.
Remote consultations provide convenience and quick access to a specialist, but their capabilities are limited in emergency situations. Poisonings, serious injuries, sudden health deterioration, or life-threatening symptoms require immediate intervention and often emergency procedures that cannot be carried out online. During a teleconsultation, the veterinarian can only offer initial advice, such as first aid tips, and recommend getting to a clinic as soon as possible.
The inability to perform imaging or laboratory tests on-site delays the diagnostic process and the implementation of appropriate treatment. It is important to emphasize that, according to professional ethics, the veterinarian is obliged to inform the owner when a teleconsultation is insufficient and to immediately refer the patient to a stationary facility. This minimizes the risk of delays in making crucial treatment decisions for the pet.
Another limitation of telemedicine is technical issues. While systems like VetFile are designed to be intuitive and stable, much depends on the quality of the internet connection on the pet owner's side. Issues with image transmission, low video resolution, or dropped connections can make it difficult for the veterinarian to assess the patient's condition properly. In areas where access to fast internet is limited, online consultations can be problematic.
An additional challenge is the lack of technological knowledge among some pet owners, which also affects the consultation process. It is also important to remember the obligation to protect personal data and maintain confidentiality of medical records, which requires clinics to use systems compliant with current legal regulations. Although technological barriers can be challenging, proper preparation and technical support significantly improve the effectiveness of telemedicine in veterinary practice